Well-Being Workshops in Eating Disorder Wards and Their Perceived Benefits to Patients and the Multi-Disciplinary Team: A Pilot Study

A more holistic definition of patients’ recovery from eating disorders (EDs) highlights that well-being interventions linked to self-compassion are under-researched and under-utilised. Staff burnout is also common in ED units (EDUs), linked to difficult relationships with patients and poor...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Katherine Smith, Yasemin Dandil, Claire Baillie, Kate Tchanturia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-09-01
Series:Brain Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/9/10/247
Description
Summary:A more holistic definition of patients&#8217; recovery from eating disorders (EDs) highlights that well-being interventions linked to self-compassion are under-researched and under-utilised. Staff burnout is also common in ED units (EDUs), linked to difficult relationships with patients and poor self-care, and is not well addressed. Therefore we piloted a series of joint well-being workshops to target these issues. Joint workshops were offered to patients (<i>n</i> = 55) and the multi-disciplinary team MDT (<i>n</i> = 34) in adult ED wards over two years. Experiences were evaluated quantitively and qualitatively. Mood post-workshops increased significantly for both groups (patients: <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001, r = 0.49; MDT: <i>z</i> = 3.043, <i>p</i> = 0.002, r = 0.41), with the feeling that they deserved to take time for self-care (patients: <i>z</i> = 2.419, <i>p</i> = 0.016, r = 0.31); MDT: <i>z</i> = 2.814, <i>p</i> = 0.005, r = 0.38). Workshops were found to be enjoyable and highly relevant to well-being, but less useful by patients. Thematic analysis identified six themes: Enjoyment, recovery and well-being, relationships, content, structure and future ideas. Both groups experienced improved mood and increased enjoyment and awareness of well-being. Patient isolation was addressed, and the staff experienced stress reduction and increased productivity. Both groups experienced improved relationships.
ISSN:2076-3425